For better Printing: pdf version
This mixture helps demonstrate the changing nature of glaciers. Like glaciers, without much stress the mass has great plasticity and will flow like a glacier does most of the time. Add high stress such as a sudden jolt or pull and the mass experiences brittle failure, which is what happens when a crevasse opens up. As you vary the surface and incline, you can observe the way a glacier behaves in nature.
Materials for each group:
| masking tape one piece of plastic wrap (about 18” long) One 20 oz cup 1 stirring stick (long enough for the large cup) ¾ cup warm water 1 cup Elmers white glue |
food
coloring (opt)
one 8 oz cup ½ cup warm water one stirring stick (for the 8 oz cup) 2 tsp. Borax powder 1 qt plastic zip lock bag |
Procedure:
1. Tape the plastic wrap to the top of a desk. It works
best to tape down each of the four sides so the surface
doesn’t lift up.
2. Prepare the two mixes below.
Mix # 1:
In the large cup, add ¾ cup warm water and 1
cup glue. Add 6 or more drops of color to desired color.
Stir until well mixed.
Mix # 2:
In the smaller cup, measure ½ cup warm water.
Add 2 tsp. of Borax powder. Stir until the powder is
dissolved.
Pour Mix 2 (the powder mix) into the glue mix. Stir until a glob forms and most of the water is mixed in. This happens quickly! Turn the mix onto the plastic. Knead and work the mix for 2 – 3 minutes. Most, if not all, of the water will be incorporated. Place the glacier goo in the zip lock bag.
The mixture will store for a few months. Rework the liquid when you are ready to use it.